A bouncer seat is a really helpful item to have on hand with a new baby, it makes chores & dinner time a heck of a lot easier. I often get asked for recommendations and the truth is there are lots of great options out there these days and the innovation is constantly improving. If you're looking to keep the gear clutter to a minimum but are looking for something versatile and with options, the new Ingenuity InReach Lounger and Bouncer could be a great pick for you. I recently had the chance to test it out with baby Walter and we've been loving it. Check out my video and review below.

The Basics

TheInReach Mobile Lounger and Bouncer is a smart new product that gives you 2 types of seats in one. The seat is designed for babies 0-6 months with a capacity up to 20lbs. In lounger mode the seat sits at about 25 inches off the ground keeping baby in your reach and the uniquely designed frame on (lockable) wheels allows you bring baby with you from room to room keeping him close. For its size, the whole unit is fairly lightweight weighing in at 21lbs. The seat is cozy with a soft head support for newborns, a secure 5 point harness, breathable mesh sides, a simple to operate recline, a mobile with 2 hanging toys, as well as vibration and sounds options with 11 different melodies and nature sounds to choose from. To convert the seat to a bouncer you simply push the levers and slide the seat off the frame (you can see baby Walter enjoying the bouncer seat in the photo below). When the seat in in bouncer mode the frame can conveniently be folded for easy storage. The InReach Mobile Lounger & Bouncer comes in the Quincy fabric (pictured); it retails for $99 and is available at Walmart.com and Amazon.com.

Our Favorite Features

The 2-in-1 design - with this product you get two pieces of baby gear in one, a great bouncer seat and a mobile lounger on wheels.

Seat pad is machine washable (yay!)

Breathable mesh sides

The lounger is on wheels - so cool to be able to wheel baby around the house as I do chores and of course with siblings it's important that the wheels lock

The height of the lounger - when in lounger mode it's about 25" high which puts baby closer to you, and in your reach. I love being able to pull baby W right up to the dinner table. I imagine if you've had a C-section this height would be really helpful, keeping your bending and straining to a minimum.

Easy to adjust 5 point harness - with baby a bit higher off the ground I really like the security of this 5 point harness system. I also like that the buckle has a cover that deters siblings from trying to unbuckle baby

Attractive & gender neutral fabric- the Quincy fabric design is very attractive (not a flashy eye-sore in your home) and with a mix of gray, aqua, green, and orange, this is very much a gender neutral design.

11 different melodies & nature sounds- baby W loves the vibration of the seat and also seems to be soothed by the relaxing nature sounds (and there are many songs and sounds to choose from) as well as ConnectMe technology that allows you to plug in your smart phone or device.

The frame folds- this is actually big for me because baby gear can take up so much space in the house; I love that when you're using the seat as a bouncer, the lounger frame folds up and I can tuck it away

Areas of Improvement

Overall I think this is a great product with a unique design and some terrific features, and only a few areas of improvement:

I'd like to see the seat have the the ability to sit more upright, baby is in a low lounging position in this seat

The Giveaway!

I'm so excited that our friends at Ingenuity are going to give one lucky reader their own In-Reach Mobile Lounger and Bouncer. To enter, use the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway ends March 19th at 12am EST. Good luck!!

We've swaddled all three boys in their first couple months and they've all responded well to it; I'm pretty sure it's given us a few hours of extra sleep along the way. You can read more about it here. I was thrilled when the folks at HALO asked me to test out their newSwaddleSure Adjustable Swaddling Pouch with baby Walter. We've been big fans of their sleep slack transitional swaddles in the past, and are currently loving the HALO Bassinest, so I was eager to try the SwaddleSure.

How it works

The SwaddleSure Adjustable Swaddling Pouch is a newer design from HALO, and we're loving the innovation. It's user friendly (which is essential for us tired parents), and in the month we've been using it, it's worked really well keeping little Walter cozy and secure. The design includes adjustable fasteners to help you get a good fit, a three-point fastening system to prevent "breakouts", and a generously-sized leg pouch help baby’s hips stay in the correct, frog-like position. To see the SwaddleSure in action, check out this video; it offers a great step by step tutorial.

Why we like it

Available in two size options (newborn for 6-12 lbs & small for 13-16 lbs)

It's machine washable!

Available in lots of nice colors and patterns

It's simple to use (even for my overtired mom brain)

The three-point fastening system keeps Walter secure and prevents him from breaking is arms free (then stirring and waking up)

Roomier pouch design - promotes healthy hip development

Offers truly easy access for diaper changes (no need to un-swaddle)

It's a great swaddle at an affordable price tag (retails for $14.99)

​

Giveaway!

I'm so excited that our friends at HALO are going to give one lucky reader their own SwaddleSure in a color and size of their choice (based on availability). To enter, simply use the Rafflecopter form below. The giveaway ends February 7th at 12am EST. Good luck!!

If you stop by often, you know I love baby gear, especially strollers and I love to talk about them. In my five years of parenting I've tried many strollers, with eight currently in my garage (not sure I should admit that). So often bloggers (myself included) focus on high end gear with often hefty price tags. Truth is that isn't always realistic, and if you're not able or willing to spend the long dollar it doesn't mean you can't get a great stroller/system.

Today I'm excited to talk about the InStride Easy Up Travel System from Ingenuity.
While I've used other Ingenuity products with great success, I was still more than pleasantly surprised by how much I like this system! It's got some great features and accessories that you'd find on a luxury system, but for half the price. The system has a sleek design, fairly smooth push, and good maneuverability. To see it up close and personal and hear more of what I think, check out the video, and then read a breakdown of the pros and cons below.

- Simple set up- took me about 20 minutes total and I was able to do it without my husband! :-)

- Really nice push- this stroller handles well, while it's not all terrain, it's a great ride for every day and the front wheel does lock if needed

- Adjustable handle bar (with 3 position options)- This is such a great feature! I am only 5 foot 3" and my husband is 6 feet, so I really appreciate this

- IT COMES WITH ACCESSORIES: Yes, caps for a reason! So many strollers now you have to buy all the accessories separately.... this system comes with the snack tray for the kiddo, the parent console for you, a the infant insert in the car seat

- Easy one step fold (really simple)

- LOVE the automatic lock when folded - keeps the stroller collapsed which is great for travel

- Roomy underneath storage basket (fits my diaper bag)

- The stroller fairly light at 21.7lbs - I can easily handle it with one hand

- Infant car seat is also fairly lightweight at 10.4lbs and has a ergonomically designed handle

- LOVE the infant insert for the car seat (feels like a neoprene material)

- Really easy push button install for the car seat with level indicators on the base (very easy to use)

- LOVE the peekaboo window on the car seat (this is a rare feature)

- The AirInfuse panels on the car seat are great - I remember my little guys getting hot in there seats- so I was really happy to see this

- Extremely easy to adjust head rest and simple strap adjustments

- The stroller harness is super easy to re thread to adjust the height- which is really helpful

- Color/design- Yes, have to say it, the colors on this stroller are great! Very chic! (the Avondale pattern is what's pictured)

This is my tester- My little guy Calvin just turned 3 this month and is fairly average size to give you perspective of the fit

Areas of Improvement:

- Only parent facing capability is if you use the infant seat clicked in... this is typical of 3 wheel strollers though with this design..
- Canopy is nice with peekaboo window, I just would have liked to see the canopy a bit bigger with more coverage
- The stroller collapses easily and fairly flat, but it would be nice if it folded in the middle for a more compact fold.

- The T-Bar design in the front makes it challenging to get into the front of the storage basket

- The seat recline goes down to about 45 degrees, I would have loved to see it go a bit more flat

- There is no foot rest on the stroller, this is typical of a three wheel design but I would have liked to see at least a bit of an indent for larger kiddos to rest their feet
- While in general the stroller pushes well, I can't push it with one hand (as I can do with others) not a huge deal just something to keep in mind

- I found the stroller to be a tad bit noisier that others especially on uneven surfaces

Note that I have only used this stroller for a couple months and have not had a chance to test the infant seat with a baby, though I have played around with it quite a bit. Thus far I am very impressed with the system and look forward to continuing to put it to the test. It's not all terrain by any means, and not perfect, but if you're looking for an everyday stroller/system with a great push and still budget friendly, this is a really great option! This system retails for $229.98 and is available exclusively at Walmart.com.

And the Giveaway!!

I'm so excited that Ingenuity is giving you all a chance to win this great travel system. One lucky reader will get the full InStride Pro Easy-Up Travel System in the Avondale fabric pictured.

To enter simply complete the Rafflecopter form below, and of course tell all of your friends! Note you must be at least 18 years old and a resident of the US or Canada to enter.

xx
Rebecca

Congratulations to our winner- Hannah M.!

Happy Friday!! I'm really excited about today's feature! You may remember Foxy Vida from my post last year "Not Your Mother's Diaper Bag." I just happened to stumble on their bags last year, and I'm so glad I did! I've had a chance to get to know the brand and put their bags to the test, and I'm hooked. First of all, Founder & Designer Mary is a super sweet and talented mom (you know I love mompreneurs)! She's combined her keen fashion sense with the practicality and needs of being a mom, for truly a winning collection of bags. I've been carrying the Black Lattice Satchel for a couple months now and love it, but check out my full review below:

Overview:The satchel bag by Foxy Vida is 14”H x18”W x4”D, it's a great size for a day of outings and also a great option for traveling. It has 9 pockets (including the external zippered pocket, pockets on the side of the bag for baby bottles or water bottles etc, and its got a curved zipper closure. The bag comes with an adjustable over the shoulder strap and a vegan leather changing pad that is 16" x 22". The bag has a Cotton / Polylaminate exterior with a vegan leather bottom, and a nylon waterproof lining. Foxy Vida bags are designed by a mom & made in the USA. The satchel retails for $180 and can be purchased on the Foxy Vida website, on Amazon, and in select stores around the country.

What I love/favorite features:* Plenty of room - it easily fits everything you need for a day out, and especially great for traveling * Lots of great pockets- (9 to be exact) and the interior is really well laid out (clearly designed by a mom) * Very lightweight for it's size- really, this is good size bag, and it's one of the lightest I've owned * The adjustable shoulder strap - it's key to comfortably toting a bag around with toddlers * Waterproof interior lining- that is actually waterproof, durable, and not cheap looking * Love the bottom of the bag- it's vegan leather, which really keeps it from getting filthy (and lets face it, that's important); it's also super easy to clean if it does get dirty * Comes with a great changing pad- often changing pads that come with diaper bags are small and flimsy, but the changing pad that comes with this bag is big (actually has plenty of room for your baby). The pad is made of vegan leather; it's well made & easy to wipe down. * The overall classy look & Versatility- this bag most definitely does not scream diaper bag.. it's stylish and chic and you'll get longevity with this bag.. I've even taken it to work with my lap top and folders.. :-)

Areas of improvement:This bag gets high marks in my book, so there aren't too many of these, but here are just a few minor things- * The hooks/grommets on the sides of the bag connecting to the strap seems to pull & turn quite easily bunching the straps a bit...not a major issue at all just a small annoyance that's happened to me * The shoulder strap could use some sort of padding * Cleaning the bag is not a huge deal, but you can't throw it in the washing machine.. it needs to be hand-washed, and while the bottom is a synch to wipe down, the fabric will take a little more time * These bags are also a bit pricey- on par with other luxury baby bags though and extremely well made, smartly designed, and from a really awesome small business

Recap/Recommendations:I'm a big fan of Foxy Vida bags in general; I find them well made, very chic and yet simple (they go with everything & look good anywhere), and very comfortable to carry. The satchel in particular is a great bag for me with two kids (and my tendency to carry everything but the kitchen sink). My favorite thing about the satchel is how light it is. Some bags start off so heavy with heavier materials & hardware, that by the time you fill them with your stuff you can hardly lug them let alone with two kids in tow :-) If you travel light or only have one kiddo, you may consider the standard diaper bag from Foxy Vida. It's less money, lower profile (def. less of a bag to carry), and may be all you need. The great news about Foxy Vida Bags, is that you will be carrying them long after you are done with diapers.

GIVEAWAY!!I'm so excited! Our friends at Foxy Vida are going to give one lucky reader their own Satchel in the Stone 'Talvin' Chenille, pictured below. To enter this great giveaway, use the Rafflecopter below, with lots of different ways to enter. Note you must be at least 18 years old and a resident of the US or Canada to enter! GOOD LUCK!!

Thanks as always for stopping by!! Hope the weekend has lots of fun in store for you!

xx Rebecca

Note that I was not paid for this post, but Foxy Vida generously provided me with one of their beautiful bags for the purposes of this review. All thoughts and opinions in this post are as always 100% my own.

Happy Saturday and first official day of summer! Most of you know that I have a stroller obsession, and now that it's most definitely full fledge stroller season I want to talk more about strollers on here! I'm going to try to post reviews and info on the ones I'm using, and hopefully review a few new ones as well. I hope to be on here fairly regularly with Stroller Talk Saturdays, so stay tuned!People are always asking me what stroller I jog with. The truth is there are so many fantastic options out there, many of which I've tried and hope to share with you on here. So many trusted brands are offering awesome jogger options. But, for the past year, I have really been loving the Baby Jogger Summit X3, both the single and double (based on who's home etc..). So, today I thought I'd give you a closer look at the Summit X3, why I'm loving it, what sets it apart, areas for improvement and hopefully answer any questions you might have for me as an avid user of both strollers. Its no secret that I am a Baby Jogger fan, and this stroller that was redesigned and put out last year is truly no exception.

About this Mama

I'm Rebecca, a Maine mom of three energetic young boys and wife of a lobsterman, living in my favorite place, the coast of Maine. You'll find me here talking about my parenting journey, mom style, recipes (mostly healthy), running and exercise travel, stories form our life in Maine and so much more! Most days I'm just figuring it out as I go - Thanks so much for stopping by!